Creating Authentic Volunteering Programs that Matter

National Volunteer Week (NVW) takes place annually—just one out of every 52 weeks. So, how do you ensure that employees are encouraged to make a difference and take the opportunity to volunteer through their workplace all year round?

On April 17, we invited Spring Lacy and Amy Sulzman of Prudential Financial, as well as TELUS, Volunteer Canada and Realized Worth, to chat about the importance of engaging, impactful and employee-first volunteer programs and more in our #NVW2018 Twitter Chat.

Here are some great highlights from the chat:

Volunteering isn't just for employees!

1. Volunteer Canada loves to see some of the most innovative companies involving people other than their own employees in their good works. It’s just as important to engage suppliers, customers and employees’ families, which can be even more impactful:

2. Why not invite local charities to your office like Indeed did? Their employees in Dublin got the chance to showcase their skills to the people who benefit from them the most—the organizations in their own community.

Absolutely! We worked with @voluntireland had 5 local charities come to our Dublin office today #insideindeed who learned everything from sales strategy to overall business coaching and software best practices! Amazing buzz in the room as employees feverishly problem solving! pic.twitter.com/SUHsV2VzOf

Develop people, not projects

1. Realized Worth knows that a people-first strategy is a winning strategy. Focusing on people is a proven way to take Goodness programs from transactional to transformative.

A10: Focus on developing the people who are volunteering via projects. Most programs develop/build projects using people. The first is transformative. The second transactional. Good happens via both approaches. But the transformative approach lasts #NVW2018

2. TELUS empowers their people across Canada to collaborate and help their communities.

We’re so lucky to have TELUS Community Ambassadors across Canada. In 2017 alone, they were able to donate 59,500 care items for citizens and over $110K in fundraising. What a team! 👐 #NVW2018pic.twitter.com/ECewXJbkEx

3. It takes more than perks to attract, retain and engage today’s diverse, socially-conscious workforce—culture and purpose are everything. Volunteer Canada shows us that employees agree and absolutely factor this in when searching for their next job.

4. Prudential’s global reach helps them stay connected to all of their people through volunteering.

Yes! We have over 300 employees in 14 locations in the US and Ireland who engage with local community partners to plan and lead volunteer efforts in their locations. We couldn’t be as connected to the needs and the best ways to engage without them! #NVW2018#PruCARES#PruTalent

So, now you know…

These experts across industries (and countries) all agree that volunteering helps shape a purpose-driven culture at work by building a sense of belonging and empathy in a collaborative setting.

Bonus takeaway: volunteering is a gateway to giving!

Among the Benevity client community, we’ve found that 70% of volunteers also donate money and volunteers give 63% more than non-volunteers! Integrating volunteer programs with your giving and granting initiatives boosts participation in all areas of your Goodness program.